Five suspects were killed in buy-bust operations in Rosario, Alfonso, and General Mariano Alvarez towns, as well as in Cavite City and Bacoor City, from 9:45 p.m. to 2:05 a.m., according to reports from the Calabarzon regional police and Cavite PNP.
Suspects Stanley Laranang alias “Lele,” Rodel Lomeda alias “Lustoy,” Josemear Empleo, Clarence Sulat, and Darwin Rodriguez allegedly traded shots with lawmen who conducted the stings, while at least three cohorts escaped.
Empleo was a 62-year-old man who, according to an informant, was involved in the “rampant” selling of illegal drugs in his home barangay of Pulido in General Mariano Alvarez, as well as neighboring villages, with the help of some cohorts, police said.
Seized from the suspects were several sachets of suspected shabu and various firearms.